Homer Simpson once said, memorably, ‘Jazz. They just make it up as they go along. I could do that!’ Well Black Jazz Chronicles made me think of that briefly, as some of its tracks have a penchant for pretty far-out improvisation, but if you’re a fan of Theo Parrish then this is an excellent place to start an exploration of modern jazz. It helps that Parrish mixes the set, because although that occasionally means a jarring change or two, it keeps the mood flowing in just the right way. There is no preaching here either – just a bunch of good tracks, some of which need a bit of work on behalf of the listener, but by and large they all respond to that. There is a nice bohemian vibe to Doug Carn’s ‘Trance Dance’, with which the compilation begins, while The Awakening’s ‘March On’ has a great drum solo. Calvin Key’s ‘Criss Cross’ has an easy vibe that hots up, while if you’re a fan of great piano work then Walter Bishop Jr’s ‘Those Who Chant’ will be for you. What this is essentially is a great mix for fans of techno and Parrish in particular to get a bit more insight into where that music comes from, plus introducing you to new music. Which is what all good compilations should do, surely?
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
